Your Guide to Winter Oranges in Texas
Discover > Texas Home Cooking > Your Guide to Winter Oranges in Texas
Although Texas is known for our Ruby Red Grapefruit, regions in Texas like the Rio Grande Valley have a very good selection of winter oranges due to its warm subtropical climate.
Located in the southernmost part of Texas along the Rio Grande river, the lower Rio Grande Valley, or "the Valley" as locals lovingly refer to it isn't a valley at all, but is actually a flood plain or a delta-type landscape that has ultra-rich soil due to the bodies of water that branch off from the Rio Grande.
What's in Season: Texas Navel Oranges
Delve into the world of Texas navel oranges, discovering the peak season and savoring the juicy sweetness of these delectable citrus treasures.
Different Winter Orange Varieties in Texas
Not all oranges are alike, so here are some of the most common types of winter oranges in Texas so that you'll know what to expect from each variety if you run across them.
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Texas Navel Oranges - Hands down, the best type of eating oranges around. Texas Navel Oranges are sweet, seedless, and perfect for eating as is! They're also great for salads and desserts! They're identifiable by the characteristic-looking navel "scar" on the peel near the stem mark.
Hamlin Oranges - These are some of the juiciest oranges around! They're also lower in acid which makes them perfect for juicing. They have very smooth skin peel and their color ranges from dark yellow to dull orange. This isn't a seedless orange.
Pineapple Oranges - These were once the most popular fruit due to their sweetness and suitability for eating and juicing but they are slowly being replaced by the easier-to-grow, seedless, and cold-hardier varieties. These are still good eating but be mindful of the seeds.
Marrs Orange - Popular among smaller growers and backyard enthusiasts, Marrs oranges have a smaller footprint and the flowers have a sweet fragrance similar to a gardenia which bees love! Perfect for pollination! It's also second to Texas Navel Oranges when it comes to popularity because of its high yield! As for the taste, it's similar to Texas Navel Oranges but may be a little bit seedy. But if you're an enthusiast and don't mind a few seeds then this variety is perfect for your background.
Valencia Orange - This is a late-season orange (so don't expect to find any if the others are around) but it's available all through Spring. Typically also available once grapefruits come out! Valencias have very thin skins and are very juicy making them the most common type of orange used to make orange juice.
Other Orange Varieties in Texas
Satsuma - In season from October to December
Dancy tangerine - In season November to January
Changsha Tangerine - In Season October to January
Orlando Tangelo - In Season November to January
Minneola Tangelo - In Season December to January
You might be saying "but they're only in season till January!" well, true, but that's only on paper. In reality, there are a lot of factors that affect seasonality (especially with the crazy weather we've been having) so for all intents and purposes, most mandarins and tangelos you can find in the coming weeks are still at their peak season quality!
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Citrus and Orange Nutrition
Oranges are an incredibly nutritious fruit that can provide a wide range of health benefits. They are packed with vitamins and minerals, as well as dietary fiber, including pectin (how long does pectin last?) which helps promote digestive health. Oranges are also a good source of antioxidants, such as vitamin C and flavonoids. Vitamin C is an essential nutrient for the body, and research has shown that increasing your intake of this vitamin can help protect against a range of diseases. Oranges are also low in calories making them the perfect snack for people who are trying to lose or maintain weight.
Growing Citrus and Other Fruit Trees in Texas
Discover the secrets to successfully cultivating citrus and other fruit trees in the unique climate of Texas, turning your backyard into a fruitful oasis.
What is the Best Time for Oranges in Texas?
The best time to get oranges from Texas is when they are in season. From October to January, several varieties of citrus can be found in-season in the Lone Star State. During this time, you can expect to find Texas Navel Oranges, Hamlins, Pineapple Oranges, Marrs Oranges, Valencia Oranges, Satsuma, Dancy Tangerines, Changsha Tangerines, Orlando Tangelos and Minneola Tangelos. With so many options to choose from, you can be sure to find the perfect orange for your needs!
What type of oranges are the sweetest?
The type of oranges that are considered to be the sweetest are Valencia Oranges, Pineapple Oranges, Marrs Oranges and Texas Navels. Valencia oranges are known for their incredibly sweet flavor and low acidity, making them perfect for freshly squeezed orange juice. They have thin skin and lots of juice, with a bright orange color. The Marrs orange is also a sweet variety of citrus, with the added bonus of having white flowers that smell like gardenias and attract bees for pollination. Lastly, the Texas Navel orange is another popular and sweet option, known for being seedless and cold hardy.
No matter which type you choose, oranges are a great way to get your daily dose of vitamin C and add a bit of sweetness to your day! Plus, you can feel good about eating them knowing that Texas oranges are locally grown and fresh from the farm. Enjoy!
Texas Ruby Red Grapefruit: Make the Best from Grapefruit Season
Celebrate grapefruit season in Texas with the exquisite Texas Ruby Red grapefruit, and unlock delightful recipes and tips to make the most of this citrus sensation.
Orange and Citrus Notes
Although the Texas Citrus industry has taken a beating last few years from those freak freezes, a lot of citrus growers are optimistic about this year's citrus crop (those that survived anyway).
Now, more than ever does our local citrus industry need help, so if you see oranges, tangerines, mandarines, and other citrus fruit in your local markets, snatch them up! Not only are you helping the local citrus industry, but they're darn tasty as well, and not to mention a big boost to our immune systems especially during the cold season!
For more information on citrus fruits in Texas, check out our TexasRealFood Promptuary Citrus section here.
